The Cortez FFA Chapter held its annual banquet on April 24 at Montezuma-Cortez High School. The FFA members, their families and various community members attended the banquet to celebrate the accomplishments of the chapter. The banquet each year consists of a dinner to thank parents and the community, and an awards ceremony to recognize the achievements of the students. The banquet started with the introduction of guests. The special guests in attendance were: Tim Lanier, School Board President; Jimmie Lankford, M-CHS Activities Director; and Ag Department Advisory Committee members Trenzo Lambert, Vern Aulston, Tanner Young, and Vic Vanic. After the guests were introduced the awards ceremony started.
Certificates of Appreciation were awarded to the following: Mr. Gordon Shepherd for serving as an FFA Week judge; Mr. Vern Aulston for serving as a CDE judge and for serving on the officer nominating committee; Mr. Vic Vanic for allowing us to use his flowers for the stage decoration; Ms. Kelli Reeder for serving on the officer nominating committee; Mr. Jimmie Lankford for serving on the officer nominating committee; Mrs. Elsie Walck for serving as an FFA Week judge; Mr. Tanner Young for serving on the FFA officer nominating committee; and Mr. Sandner and the M-CHS Drama Department for running lights and sound. The chapter depends on the help of the school and community to make sure events run smoothly and we wanted to make sure to thank those who gave their time and talents to help the chapter.
The Honorary Degree Ceremony was conducted by the chapter officers to recognize an individual who went above and beyond to support the Cortez FFA Chapter this past year. This years honorary member is Mr. Jimmie Lankford. His name has been added to a special plaque that hangs in the ag classroom. Next, a special presentation was done by the seniors to recognize individuals who have provided outstanding support to our organization. They recognized Mr. and Mrs. Larese from Durango, who donated a 1948 Model B John Deere tractor to our chapter, and Mr. Troy Herrmann, who has served as the chapters bus driver to the National Western Stock Show for many years.
Following the recognition of supporters, the awards were presented to students who excelled in many areas of agricultural education. The ag sales placement proficiency award was presented to Chantz Koskie for her work at IFA Country Stores. The Notebook Award winners were: Ag 1 Gold Category Whitney Finley and Chantell Ford; Silver Tyrell Sturman and Tristen Shelby; Bronze Chandler Dee and Austin Liberto. Ag II Notebook Awards were as follows: Gold, Shandra Fitchett; Silver, Ahanabah Finley; Bronze, Nickelle Oliver. Ag Mechanics Notebook Awards were awarded to: Gold, Wiley Kirks; Silver, Ryan Daves; Bronze, Trenton Gustafson. Animal Science/Ag Business Notebook Awards were awarded to: Gold, Allison Porter; Silver, Lana Robbins; Bronze, Jaycee Syra. Record Book Award winners were: Ag II Bronze, Elisabeth Hoch; Silver, Trevor Holaday; Gold, Shandra Fitchett. Advanced Ag Recordbook Awards winners were: Silver, Wiley Kirks; Gold Ryan Daves, Cheyenne Mortensen, Chantz Koskie, and Laura Heaton. Leadership Award winners were: Ag I Vanessa Gapp and Jake Colcord; Ag II Shandra Fitchett and Elisabeth Hoch; Advanced Ag Trenton Gustafson and Lana Robbins. Scholarship Award winners were given to the student in each class with the highest grade point average. The winners were: Ag I, Tierney Wilson; Ag II, Nickelle Oliver; and Advanced Ag, Wiley Kirks. Our top salesman award winner this year was Lacey McDonald. Quiz Bowl award winners were: Gold Whitney Finley, Jaci Veach, and Tyrell Sturman; Silver Chantell Ford, Tyler Hageman, Edwardo Martinez, and Vanessa Gapp. FFA Creed Award winners were: Gold Tierney Wilson and Chance Lambert.
The Chapter Degree Ceremony was performed by the chapter officers. To be eligible to receive the Chapter FFA Degree, each member must meet the following minimum qualifications: Must have received the Greenhand FFA Degree; must be enrolled and have a satisfactory scholastic record in Ag II; must have demonstrated public speaking skills by presenting a 4 to 6 minute speech; must show progress toward individual achievement in the FFA award program by filling out a proficiency award application and participating in FFA activities; and must have a Supervised Agriculture Experience Program. This years chapter degree recipients were: Kyle Alexander, Ahanabah Finley, Shandra Fitchett, Elisabeth Hoch, Trevor Holaday, Cole Jeter, Sheldon Little, Shelton Little, Nickelle Oliver, and Cody Rogers.
This years Star Greenhand winner was Whitney Finley. The Star Greenhand Award is given to the Ag I student who went above and beyond in the classroom, in the FFA and showed extraordinary plans for a supervised agricultural experience project. Chantz Koskie won the DeKalb Award and Cheyenne Mortensen and Laura Heaton won the Star Chapter Farmer Award. These two awards recognize the outstanding efforts of senior members who have shown leadership skills through their involvement in the FFA and who went above and beyond the call of duty to help the chapter.
The awards ceremony concluded with the installation of the 2012-2013 chapter officer team. The new officers are: President, Landan Wilson; Vice President, Kaitlin Whited; Secretary, Shandra Fitchett; Treasurer, Tierney Wilson; Reporter, Jaycee Syra; Sentinel, Jake Colcord; and Executive Committee, Elisabeth Hoch.
The Cortez FFA would like to thank the 175 people who attended the banquet to celebrate the accomplishments of the members of the Cortez FFA Chapter.
